Arlington Mass
May 13, 1918
Dear Helen:
My but doesn’t it
seem great to be home once
more if ever for only a short
time? Home does not seem just
as it should, however, with so
many of “The Boys” away. Some
very sad news awaited my
arrival for I learned that
one of my friends whom I had
grown up with had a been killed
in action. Joe was the first
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Arlington boy to give up his life.
Now that he is gone everyone
recognizes the fineness of his
character, and how true a friend
to all he really was. This always
seems to be the way doesn’t it
Helen? We too often realize the
worth of a man ~~until~~ when its too
late.
I wrote Shys yesterday
Helen. You remember you asked
me to let you know in order
that our dates would not
conflit? At the same time I be-
lieve you said something about
never hearing from me this sum-
mer, the same as last. “One
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post-card. As I said then
in answer to your rebuke
and again repeat, “It is dif-
ferent this year.” I doubt very
much Helen if you ever know
just how much it has meant
to me to have known you. I
admit I’m very awkward in
expressing my thoughts is my
heart would have me speak
them. Once, I got started but
the chapel bell reminded us
that we had fifteen minutes
to make chapel from the athletic
field. There, you reminded me
of my Freshman year at Midd.
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How reluctant I was towards
the speaking to people on the
Campus. If you did not know
Helen, you were the only girl
whom I was desirous of ever know-
Ing. Somehow I could foresee
In you, qualities, which later
asserted themselves and which
make you the most popular
girl in the class. This is not flattery
for I never do that. It is the truth
however and way down deep
you know it to be so.
Many a time have I had
you for an example and as a
Goal to aspire. Whether I succeed
-ed in exemplifying you or
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reach my goal, that is
another matter. Come what
may, Helen, I shall always
maintain this high regard
towards you.
I expect to leave for
Windsor Wednesday. My
address while there will be
Windsor Vermont
70 Namco Club.
As you of course know,
I would be greatly pleased
to hear occasionally from
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you this Summer. Trusting
that you have a happy
vacation, I remain.
Sincerely your friend
“Brainy”
